Tengrinews.kz - Kazakhstan is not planning to introduce fines for airline passengers who stand up immediately after landing, the Ministry of Transport said, following reports that Turkey will begin penalizing such behavior.
What the ministry says
In a comment to Tengrinews.kz, the ministry stated that while new penalties are not being considered, current aviation rules already prohibit passengers from standing or walking during taxiing, takeoff, and landing, in line with international civil aviation standards.
“If a person on board violates these rules or disobeys orders from the captain or crew members, the captain has the right to take action, including documenting the incident. In such cases, airport police may be called to investigate and hold the passenger accountable under administrative law,” the ministry’s press service said.
This means that although there are no new penalties on the horizon, existing regulations already allow for consequences if a passenger stands before the aircraft comes to a complete stop or ignores crew instructions.
The airline SCAT also confirmed that they do not impose fines for standing too early, but emphasized the importance of following in-flight behavior rules.
“We remind passengers that compliance with safety instructions and crew commands is required by national law,” the airline stated.
Four simple rules for passengers:
- Always keep your seatbelt fastened, especially during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.
- Do not stand up until the plane has come to a complete stop and the seatbelt sign is off.
- Listen to the crew and follow their instructions — it’s a safety rule, not a request.
- Be mindful of your carry-on luggage — avoid overloading the overhead bins to prevent injuries.
Earlier, it was reported that Turkey is introducing fines for passengers who stand up before receiving instructions from the crew. The country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a circular requiring airlines to make announcements about the smoking ban and the need to wear seatbelts at all stages of the flight. Passengers who violate these rules will face administrative penalties.
Read also: New fine introduced for airlines in Kazakhstan